Montenegro holds first independent election Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:26 AM ET
By Beti Bilandzic PODGORICA (Reuters) - Montenegrins went to the polls on Sunday in a general election expected to give their center-left government a fresh mandate for their first term as an independent country. Montenegro voted in May to end nearly a century of partnership with Serbia. That decision, buoyed by rapid United Nations acceptance and the prospect of quicker European Union accession, is expected to help Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, the architect of the independence drive. "I believe the ruling party will win, and things will be better for Montenegro and for all of us," said pensioner Djordje Radesevic after casting his vote early in the morning. "I have full confidence in Milo, he has ruled well so far and will continue to do so." Polls show voters will hesitate to change horses in mid-stream in a crucial period in which Montenegro must complete its transformation from former socialist Yugoslav republic to well-regulated market economy. "This vote will first of all be a verification of the referendum result," said journalist and political analyst Ilija Despotovic. "What is also at stake is the stability of the state and the economy. So an upset on the political scene would not be as beneficial as a strong government." Another analyst, who did not want to be named, said voters would give the helm to Djukanovic, so that "he may finish the job he started" but also because he is simply "the lesser evil of what is on offer". Djukanovic, 44, has for the last 15 years been either president or prime minister of the mountainous Adriatic coast republic of some 650,000 people. The opposition accuses him of corruption and nepotism, charges that resonate with many who feel they have missed out because of their political affiliation or ethnicity. "The first thing that needs to be changed is those in power. We've had the same people for long enough, it's high time they were replaced," said Pedja, who refused to give his full name. The election will also show whether policy and pragmatism can eventually hope to replace the ethnic card in a country where only 43 percent call themselves Montenegrins, with 32 percent considering themselves Serbs and the rest Bosnians, Albanians or Muslims. The Serbian tricolor and the heroic songs of the homeland were prominent campaign symbols of Serb parties, while Albanians rallied under their black-and-red double-headed eagle flag and talk of their ethnic brothers over the borders. Andrija Mandic, leader of the Serb List coalition said he wanted the Serb people to be free, dignified and successful in Montenegro. "We call on your to help us stop those who have for years been robbing and humiliating us, turning our Montenegro into their private fiefdom." _____ © Reuters 2006. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world. http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=worldNews <http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-09-10T102626Z_01_HAM021097_RTRUKOC_0_US-MONTENEGRO-VOTE.xml> &storyID=2006-09-10T102626Z_01_HAM021097_RTRUKOC_0_US-MONTENEGRO-VOTE.xml <javascript:window.close()> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] =============== Group Moderator: [EMAIL PROTECTED] page at http://magazine.sorabia.net for more informations about current situation in Serbia http://www.sorabia.net Slusajte GLAS SORABIJE nas talk internet-radio (Serbian Only) http://radio.sorabia.net Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sorabia/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sorabia/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
